Small volume pilfer proof containers

ABSTRACT

A collapsible small volume pilfer-proof container in which the accessible walls may be sealed by means penetrating through openings therein carrying a seal, whereby the presence of pilfering may be readily detected.

United States Patent [1 1 Kupersmit 1 Oct. 30, 1973 SMALL VOLUME PILFERPROOF CONTAINERS [76] Inventor: Julius B. Kupersmit, 145-80 229th St.,Springfield Gardens, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 224,431

[52] 11.8. CI. 229/47, 229/41, 229/23 B [51] int. Cl. 865d 45/16 [58]Field 01 Search 229/23 R, 23 C, 41 R,

229/41 B, 47, 78 A, 78 B, 79; 206/15 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS Bergstein Cameron 229/47 3,195,719 7/1965 Giesler 229/41 B X2,645,405 7/1953 D0rfman..... 229/41 B X 2,036,987 4/1936 Watson 229/6 R1,146,847 7/1915 Carpenter. 229/47 X 2,822,973 2/1958 Armstrong...229/47 2,973,127 2/1961 Royce 229/43 X Primary ExaminerDavis T. MoorheadAttorneyCharles E. Temko [57] ABSTRACT A collapsible small volumepilfer-proof container in which the accessible walls may be sealed bymeans penetrating through openings therein carrying a seal, whereby thepresence of pilfering may be readily detected.

1 Claim, 18 Drawing Figures SMALL VOLUME PILFER PROOF CONTAINERS Thisinvention relates generally to the field of shipping containers of acollapsible type which may be reduced to planar condition at thecompletion of an individual use and returned to a sender for refilling.

It is known in the art to provide relatively large containers of thistype with sealable means which will make immediately detectable thepresence of pilfering occurring during transit, such construction beingexemplified by my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,737, granted May, 13, 1969Devices of the above type presume that pilfering will take place byeither removing the detachable top or cover element, or by penetratingthe side walls of the container, since normally the lower edges of theside walls are secured to a wood pallet, and the container, when loaded,is normally so heavy that it cannot be lifted or tilted withoutemploying a fork lift truck, the use of which precludes access to thebottom of the container through the pallet.

Conventional smaller containers are not so protected, since they arenormally openable from both top and bottom and are usually taped orglued into closed position such that when opened, the cutting or tearingnecessary to provide access to the interior precludes reuse of thecontainer. However, a very definite need exists for reusable containersof relatively low volume which are of sufficiently sturdy constructionto permit recycling. Such containers must be openable without damage,and yet be capable of being sealed so that in the presence of pilferingoccurring during transit will be immediately manifested to the consigneeupon arrival.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide an improved small volume pilfer-proof container possessed of theabove advantages.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedpilfer-proof container of the class described, in which the cost offabrication may be of a reasonably low order, thereby permittingconsequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedcontainer of the class described in which the sealing means may be of atype already known in the art and in wide spread use, thereby permittingthe incorporation of easily available hardware as a part of theconstruction.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, willmore fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and bepointed in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the inventionshowing same in collapsed condition.

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation as seen from the right hand portion ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation showing a first step in the assembly ofthe embodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar end elevational views showing subsequent stepsin the assembly of the container prior to the loading thereof.

FIG. 6 is a similar end elevational view showing the positioning of alid element upon a fully assembled container element.

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the sealing means in position after thedevice has been closed.

FIG. 8 is a planar developed view of a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the second embodiment in collapsedcondition.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment as seen fromthe plan 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing a first step in the erection of thecontainer comprising the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view as seen from the plan 12ll2 in FIG.lll.

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view as seen from the plan 13-13 in FIG.12, and showing a subsequent step in the erection of the container.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view showing the second embodiment in fullyerected condition.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view as seen from the plan I515 in FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, partly broken away to show detailsof the second embodiment with a cover element in position.

FIG. 17 is an exploded side elevational view showing the device incollapsed condition for storage within a cover.

FIG. 18 is a view in perspective showing the second embodiment in fullyerected condition, and with the cover element removed.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10, comprises broadly first and second outer sidewalls 11 and 12, respectively; first and second end walls 15 and 16,respectively; first and second lower walls 17 and 18, respectively;attached end wall flaps 19 and 20, the above mentioned parts forming acontainer element 21. A separable lid element 22 includes an upper wall23 having a continuous peripheral flange 24, including end portions 25and side portions 26.

Referring to FIGS. l and 2, the device is preferably formed as first andsecond blanks 28 and 29 which are interconnected along medially disposedvertical lines by tape strips 30. The first blank 28 is bounded by anupper edge 31, side edges 32 and 33 and a lower edge 34. An upper foldline 35, and a medial fold line 36 cooperate with side fold lines 37,38, 39 and 40 to delineate the above mentioned walls.

The second blank 29 is generally similar, but does not carry the flapsl9 and 20. It is bounded by an upper edge 43, upper side edges 44, lowerside edges 45, vertical fold edges 46 and a lower edge 47, as well asintermediate longitudinal fold edges 48 and 49.

Commencing from the device in folded condition, assembly of the same maybe understood from a successive consideration of FIGS. 3 to 7,inclusive. The tape strips 30 which overlie abutting edges disposedtherebeneath are moved to planar condition which serves to erect thefirst and second end walls 13-14. Next the first lower wall 17 is foldedupwardly, as seen in FIG. 3 to provide adequate clearance for the secondlower wall 18 which is subsequently folded thereafter. When the secondlower wall is disposed at right angles with respect to the side walls 11and 12, the end wall flaps I9 and 20 are folded vertically whereby theslotted openings 53 in members 13, 14, 19 and 20 are placed in congruentrelation. The first lower all 17 may then be lowered to reinforce thebottom of the device, and the inner side walls 15 and 16 are then foldeddownwardly to provide double thickness along the side walls for addedmechanical strength, this operation exposing an upwardly facing openingthrough which the container element 21 is loaded.

In fastening the lid element 2 thereupon, structure 54 is used tointerconnect the same, which penetrates the above mentioned openings 53and place the same in sealed relation. The means 54 is preferablyidentical with that disclosed in my above mentioned prior patent, andthus need not be considered in further detail in the present disclosure.

By reversing the above described operation after the container has beenemptied, it may be again reduced to planar condition shown in FIG. 2 forreturn shipment to the consignor and subsequent reuse.

Before entering into a detailed consideration of the second embodiment,illustrated in the drawings in FIGS. 8 to 18, inclusive, reference maybe made to my co-pending application Ser. no. l80,566, filed Sept. 15,l97l, which discloses means for supporting the side walls of a bulkchemical container against bulging under the weight of materials inpowdered or particulate form, the second embodiment herein combining toa substantial degree, the constructional features of the firstembodiment and the embodiment disclosed in that application to provide abulk chemical container of relatively small volume.

The second embodiment, generally indicated by reference character 60, ismost conveniently fored from a planar blank 61 of corrugated board ofeither 2-ply of 3-ply type. As best seen in FIG. 3, the blank includes abottom wall 62 and a pair of inner end walls 63 and 64 interconnected tothe bottom wall 62 by fold lines 65 and 66, respectively. The bottomwall 62 includes a lower surface 67 thereof mounting wood skids 68,preferably three in number which are glued thereto, which, as best seenin FIG. 18, provide interstices for the insertion of tines (not shown)of a fork lift device. The inner end walls 63 and 64 are provided withelongated slots 69 as in the first embodiment, and with centrallydisposed openings 70 bordered by reinforcing plates 71, as taught in theabove-mentioned application Ser. No. 180,566.

The above-mentioned members 62-64 are interconnected to the remainingportions of the blank 61 solely by an interconnecting strip 72 boundedby fold lines 73 and 74, the latter of which interconnects with a firstlongitudinal side wall '75. Fold lines 76 and 77 interconnect,respectively, with first and second outer end walls 75 and 79,respectively, the latter mounting a glue flap 81. The wall 75 has acentrally disposed opening 82 and surrounding reinforcing plate 83. Eachof the end walls 78 and 79 includes a medially positioned fold line 84passing throgh an elongated slot 85. A second longitudinal side wall 86interconnects with the flap 81, and is provided with a centrallydisposed opening 87 and reinforcing plate 88. It is interconnected withthe first outer end wall 78 by a fold line 80.

A longitudinal fold line 90 interconnects a foldable lower wall 91adapted, when the device is in erected condition to overlie the bottomwall 62. It is provided with a longitudinal fold line 92 to enable it toclear interconnecting ropes or cables 93 which are provided at each endwith knots or enlargements 94.

A cover 95 includes an upper wall 96 and peripheral side wall 97 havingelongated slots 98 therein adapted to overlie the slots 69 and 85.

As best seen in FIG. 17, the blank 61, when not erected is most suitablycontained within the cover in order to occupy minimum volume. To placethe device in condition for use, the cover is removed after positioningthe skid 68 on a floor or other horizontal supporting surface, the blankin this condition being illustrated in FlGs. 9 and 10.

Next the longitudinal side wall 75 is lifted to vertical position, andthe outer end walls 78 and 79 are unfolded to the position shown in FIG.11. Continuing to FIG. 12, the inner end walls 63 and 64 are lifted tovertical position, and the foldable lower wall 91 is moved downwardly asshown in FIG. 13 to flattened condition overlying the bottom wall 62.The device then assumes the condition shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 18,wherein the ropes or cables 93 and tensed and the side and end walls aresubstantially at mutual right angles.

In this condition, the bulk of particulate load may be placed within theconfines of the device and filled to desired level, the flow of thematerial tending to outwardly bow the side and end walls, which tendencyis resisted by the cables 93. The cover 95 is then positioned as in thefirst embodiment and maintained in position by means 54.

When the device has been emptied, it is returned to the condition shownin FIG. 17 be reversing the above sequence, care being taken to emptyremaining particulate material to facilitate folding of the componentparts.

Where the second embodiment is made in a sufficiently small size, theskids 68 may be eliminated with a corresponding loss in function. If thedevice is intended to be used in stacked relation, additional skids maybe provided to assure greater rigidity and load distribution upon a lidor cover element disposed there beneath.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A small volume pilfer-proof collapsible container comprising: acontainer element having first and second side walls, first and secondend walls foldably interconnected to said side walls to form arectangular enclosure; a first lower wall foldably interconnected to oneof said side walls, said first lower wall having a pair of end flapsfoldably attached thereto, and adapted to overlie said end walls whensaid first lower wall is disposed at a right angle with respect to saidone of said side walls; a lid element having an upper wall and apcripheral flange thereon adapted to selectively overlie an upperopening formed by said side and end walls; said end flaps, end walls andperipheral flange having corresponding openings therein which are placedin congruent relation when said container is in fully assembled andclosed condition; said end walls each having a vertically orientedmedially positioned foldline, whereby said container element may beplaced in flattened condition when not in use; and sealable meansincluding a bar of substantial length projecting through said congruentopenings, said bar overlying a surface of respective side wall, andwherein said container cannot said lid, and extending at right angles oneither side of be opened without disturbing the sealed relation of saidsaid vertically oriented medially positioned foldline, last mentionedmeans.

whereby said sealable means adds to the rigidity of a

1. A small volume pilfer-proof collapsible container comprising: acontainer element having first and second side walls, first and secondend walls foldably interconnected to said side walls to form arectangular enclosure; a first lower wall foldably interconnected to oneof said side walls, said first lower wall having a pair of end flapsfoldably attached thereto, and adapted to overlie said end walls whensaid first lower wall is disposed at a right angle with respect to saidone of said side walls; a lid element having an upper wall and aperipheral flange thereon adapted to selectively overlie an upperopening formed by said side and end walls; said end flaps, end walls andperipheral flange having corresponding openings therein which are placedin congruent relation when said container is in fully assembled andclosed condition; said end walls each having a vertically orientedmedially positioned foldline, whereby said container element may beplaced in flattened condition when not in use; and sealable meansincluding a bar of substantial length projecting through said congruentopenings, said bar overlying a surface of said lid, and extending atright angles on either side of said vertically oriented mediallypositioned foldline, whereby said sealable means adds to the rigidity ofa respective side wall, and wherein said container cannot be openedwithout disturbing the sealed relation of said last mentioned means.